Events
NOTE: Of course, due to COVID, this list is outdated. With things being rescheduled and re-rescheduled, there is no point trying to keep it updated at this time. I’ll leave it here as a general guide to what happens in Palm Springs during more normal times.
Palm Springs has many events that come around every year at the same time. Here is a list of most of them. Check the websites to confirm exact dates.
January
Palm Springs International Film Festival
January 7-18, 2021 – A star-studded award gala kicks off a week of new film screenings and events. Directors and stars host many Q&A panels after the movies.
February
Tour de Palm Springs
TBS- Early February 2021 – A charity bike ride with class and distance categories for every skill level.
Art Palm Springs
February 11-15, 2021 – A weekend-long contemporary art show at the Palm Springs Convention center, with a VIP gala on Thursday night.
Modernism Week
February 11-21, 2021 – A celebration of Palm Springs rich mid-century architecture and all things “modern”. Featuring home tours, parties, and a great three hour city tour on a double decker bus.
Riverside County Fair and Date Festival
TBS – mid-February 2021 – A large county fair with rides and food booths, with an emphasis on the local date harvest. If you’ve ever had a hankering to try deep fried foods on a stick, this is your chance!
Int'l Bear Convergence
TBS – late February 2021 – A four day event for gay bears and admirers, with pool parties, pop-up shops, and concerts.
McCormick's Collector Car Auction
TBS – late February 2021 – Held twice a year, in February and November, a weekend celebration of amazing cars. Take one home!
Greek Festival
TBS – late February 2021 – Weekend event in Palm Desert, with music, food, and dancing,
March
BNP Paribas Tennis Tournament
March 9 – 22, 2020 – Acclaimed tennis tournament with celebrity sports figures in Indian Wells. The tournament is a Masters 1000 event on the men’s tour and is a Premier Mandatory event on the women’s tour.
El Paseo Fashion Week
March 20-27, 2020 – A fashion show that highlights avant-garde designs and top designers from the fashion world. With exclusive trunk shows, runway events and parties.
Palm Desert Food and Wine Festival
March 27-29, 2020 – Tasting event with more than 60 restaurants and 40 wineries, breweries and distilleries. Music, classes, and more.
April
The Dinah
April 1-6, 2020 – Five-day weekend getaway and music festival catering to the lesbian community. Featuring pool parties, night entertainment, live concerts, comedy shows, and sports.
Indian Wells Arts Festival
April 3 – 5, 2020 – Jazz music, cocktails, and the works of over 200 artists. At the Indian Wells Tennis Gardens.
Opera in the Park
April 5, 2020 – A free Sunday event with some great up-and-coming opera singers. It’s often nice weather for a day in the park, but bring some shade or purchase a VIP ticket.
Coachella Music Festival
April 10-12 & April 17-19, 2020 – Huge two-weekend music and art festival in Indio, with events and parties in the area in between weekends.
Stagecoach
April 24-26, 2020 – Like Coachella Music Festival but with country acts, mainstream or relatively unknown ranging from folk, mainstream country, bluegrass, roots rock, and alternative country.
White Party
April 24-27, 2020 – Weekend-long gay dance party with multiple events, pool parties, and celebrity headliners.
May
Palm Springs Restaurant Week
May 29 – June 7, 2020 – Dozens of restaurants in the Coachella Valley participate with special 3 course pre-fixe menus. A great time to try out a new restaurant.
June
ShortFest Film Festival
June 16-22, 2020 – International festival of short films with screenings, panels, and Q&A’s by the actors and directors.
August
Splash House
August 7-9 & 14-16, 2020 – Hosted by multiple hotels, poolside parties with DJ’s.
October
Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours
October 10/11, 17/18 & 24/25, 2020 – Three weekends of open homes and studios in the hi-desert from Morongo Valley to Twentynine Palms. If you like the high desert area, this is a great chance to meet some locals and see some great (and not so great) art.
Modernism Fall Preview
October 15-18,2020 – A scaled down version of the big February Modernism Week event. A good chance to do the bus tours and some home tours and parties without the crowd.
November
Palm Springs Gay Pride
November 6-8, 2020 – A celebration of the LGBT community featuring a free festival downtown with booths, food, and entertainment. Parade is Sunday down Palm Canyon. Everybody welcome.
McCormick's Collector Car Auction
Late November 2020 – Held twice a year in February and November, a weekend celebration of amazing cars. Take one home!
December
Palm Springs Festival of Lights
December 5, 2020 – Fun and very popular Christmas parade through downtown Palm Springs. Some restaurants offer premium seating on their patios.
International Tamale Festival
Early December 2020 – An outdoor festival in Indio celebrating tamales. From sweet to savory. Look for the booths with the longest lines to know which are best.
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